Xenoblade Chronicles 2 is one of those RPGs that I didn't want to end. Luckily, there is enough post-game content to satisfy players looking to sink 100's of hours into more adventures with Rex and the party. However, I can't seem to shake the feeling that I was left with as the end credits rolled. I feel like Xenoblade Chronicles 2 showed me what it's like to go on a real adventure and it happens to be one that I don't think I will ever forget.

Xenoblade Chronicles 2 is one of the finest JRPGs of the generation and perhaps of all time. The two or three complaints I have are nitpicks, the most significant of which likely won't occur for players taking their time and enjoying the incredible world that Xenoblade Chronicles 2 creates. Washing over any minor issues is one of the most engaging stories I've ever played, a vastly improved and fun combat system, and an out-of-this-world soundtrack. It sets a precedent for JRPGs on the Switch that I doubt will be topped, unless of course Monolith Soft somehow manages to pump out a Xenoblade Chronicles X 2 before the end of the generation.

Xenoblade Chronicles 2 on the Switch won't disappoint series fans, especially those that love the Wii original (or even experienced it on New 3DS). It's a new cast and world, with some fresh mechanics and ideas, but much is still familiar. The story has high points, the world and its varied Titan lands is intriguing, and it draws you in for many dozens of hours.
It's Monolith Soft doing what it does best, albeit without shaking off the occasional flaws of the series. It's ultimately an important part of an incredible launch year for the Switch - a reminder that while system concepts change some things are constant. This is another Xenoblade gem, and a must-have for the most dedicated of adventurers.

Xenoblade Chronicles 2 applies an energetic signature and wax seal to a wonderful year for the Nintendo Switch, and for JRPGs in general. Between the amount of time it takes to get used to the game and getting through everything it has to offer, Xenoblade Chronicles 2 is a worthy investment for series fans and newcomers.

Xenoblade Chronicles 2 is a standout RPG that manages to keep its story, combat, and exploration interesting over the course of at least 70 hours of adventure through an impressively varied and rich world. Getting from place to place can be confusing, but outside of that and a multi-hour progression roadblock near the end this is an excellent game full of tough, memorable battles and a positive message.

The game is a love-letter to traditional Japanese RPG design, and while some elements such as the story might remain antiquated, Xenoblade Chronicles 2 manages to inject the same wonder in the player that the classics do. All we need to do now is pour hundreds of hours into the game to see the whole journey through.

On this and many other levels, Xenoblade 2 exhibits admirable depth. Adventurous types that enjoy complex combat systems can easily spend more than 100 hours uncovering Alrest's secrets and developing their team of Blades, provided they can come to terms with a handful of unavoidable shortcomings. It's equal parts pleasing and frustrating, but the struggle to keep up with everything thrown your way is more of a hurdle than a roadblock. It will be a tough pill to swallow for people who aren't accustomed to the typical cliches found in many Japanese RPGs, and its often clumsy nature keeps it from being the next groundbreaking Switch game, but Xenoblade 2 is worth pursuing if you've got enough patience to let it blossom.

Xenoblade Chronicles 2 tries its hardest to match the grandest of grand RPGs out there on the market, attempting to become Nintendo's own Final Fantasy. In doing so, though, whilst still wonderfully vast in its scale, and gripping in how things play out for the most part, it has lost its way slightly, becoming bogged down by an overly complex pre-battle system, marred by fights that mostly feel too hands-off/automated, and some terrible character visuals and voice work. There is indeed a lot to love about this, yet so much that makes you yearn for something more.

Xenoblade Chronicles 2 is a crunchier, more chaotic proposition than the rest of Nintendo's recent output, then. Monolith Soft either doesn't have the resources or the relentless tenacity to explore every one of its game mechanics with the rigour and finality of Nintendo EAD. But while the game's individual components are far from pristine, in combination they prove irresistible. And as with Rex, it is to the wrinkles and idiosyncrasies that we are ultimately drawn, and ultimately convinced.

Xenoblade Chronicles 2 is an unusual game in that it can manage to simultaneously feel weird and unique but also exhaustingly predictable. Its also much more linear than its immediate predecessor, with much longer cut scenes. Many are going to find the storytelling aspect of the game a drag, which is a shame because things do get more interesting in the second half of the game. But considering how many dozens of hours that takes to get to many will have lost interest by then.

Banned

Reviews are as expected. It looks to be a great game, but lacking the immediate ambition of its two predecessors. And being a niche franchise, it'll receive more medicore scores, too. Not that it matters. Seems to be exactly the game that Xenoblade-fans hoped for.

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Is that even a complaine!!! Its jrpg with anime art style!!! What the fuck are they expecting? I love Persona 5 and Valkyria Chronicles but both are as anime as fuck. Thankfully for me thats not really negative because I personally love anime.

Member

Is that even a complaine!!! Its jrpg with anime art style!!! What the fuck are they expecting? I love Persona 5 and Valkyria Chronicles but both are as anime as fuck. Thankfully for me thats not really negative because I personally love anime.

I have to agree with it being "too anime" and I love the art style of both persona 5 and valkyria chronicles and many other jrpgs. Many people have complained about this game being too anime yet it wasn't a problem with persona 5 or valkyria chronicles...

Maybe too anime isn't the right way to put it but to me it just looks generic and uninspired i guess. While the p5 and valkyria feel more distinct

The nicest person on this forum

I have to agree with it being "too anime" and I love the art style of both persona 5 and valkyria chronicles and many other jrpgs. Many people have complained about this game being too anime yet it wasn't a problem with persona 5 or valkyria chronicles...

Maybe too anime isn't the right way to put it but to me it just looks generic and uninspired i guess. While the p5 and valkyria feel more distinct

That was one of my fears at first but after seeing some blade designs and how over top most of them are, I end up liking it a lot. Also I'm glad to see characters have really nice facial expression on the characters.

Is that even a complaine!!! Its jrpg with anime art style!!! What the fuck are they expecting? I love Persona 5 and Valkyria Chronicles but both are as anime as fuck. Thankfully for me thats not really negative because I personally love anime.

I find that to be an unfair statement. Xenoblade 2 looks fine, it just goes for a more traditional jrpg-look tgan Persona 5. It's closer to something like Skies of Arcadia. Criticizing X2 for being 'too anime' just makes me think the reviewer wanted Pyra and co to be censored :/

Look I understand where you coming. The character design doesn't have the distinct look like Persona or Gravity Rush. but "too Anime" is stupid complain.

In honestly much, much prefer XC2 artstyle over XCX. to me XCX character models is as bad as Star Ocean 4. XC2's 3D models actually match the hand drawn portrait, I cant say the same about XCX or SO4&5

Member

Look I understand where you coming. The character design doesn't have the distinct look like Persona or Gravity Rush. but "too Anime" is stupid complain.

In honestly much, much prefer XC2 artstyle over XCX. to me XCX character models is as bad as Star Ocean 4. XC2's 3D models actually match the hand drawn portrait, I cant say the same about XCX or SO4&5

Agreed there, some the characters were freakishly horrible in XCX, and a lot just looked really bland (with some exceptions). One thing I can say about XCX to XC2, is the environments in XCX look much better than what I have seen in XC2 so far. Mira in XCX looks and feels incredible, especially Noctilum and Sylvalum, I really hope XC2 has areas of that calibre, but we will see. I'm stoked, the game is reviewing damn well and I can't wait for my copy to come in. I still haven't finished my first playthrough of Skyrim, so i'm starting to get behind on Switch games already lol.

Member

Im so torn. I really want this but never Played the first one. Now with the possibility of the first one being ported to switch, I may just wait on this, but Im afraid its going to disappear off the shelves and go out of print. Im still trying to finish Zelda and Mario, along with 100 other games on my backlog.

Member

Im so torn. I really want this but never Played the first one. Now with the possibility of the first one being ported to switch, I may just wait on this, but Im afraid its going to disappear off the shelves and go out of print. Im still trying to finish Zelda and Mario, along with 100 other games on my backlog.

Neo Member

I'm so torn. I really want this but never Played the first one. Now with the possibility of the first one being ported to switch, I may just wait on this, but I'm afraid it's going to disappear off the shelves and go out of print. I'm still trying to finish Zelda and Mario, along with 100 other games on my backlog.

Member

Doesn't appear that the Japanese voice option has been added yet in my copy even after the patch, but the English voices are growing on me. I actually really like Rex and Pyra's voices, definitely wasn't expecting to. Though I will say that in a few parts it's lacked a bit of impact.

Edit: The JP voice pack is an additional download via the eshop. Might be useful info for anyone else looking for it.

Member

Kimawolf has the OT claimed. Where you at dude? 4 hours til release. I'm hyped. Going in blind to this. Played about an hour of the 1st one on 3ds but didn't continue. The visuals we're just too blurry to enjoy for me.

What on earth is high quality about Persona's writing? The characters have zero progression, they go absolutely nowhere throughout the entire thing. Everyone has this miniarc in their dungeons which are of varying quality narrative wise and then nothing happens with them anymore. Such a bland cast. Haru was especially wasted.

The idea of society being it's own worst enemy is awsome but the whole thing is so badly paced it hurts. I liked the game but I wouldn't say it had "high quality writing" lol.